Bexley

Bexley's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, health and marriage.

The population passed 230,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Bexley increased by 6.3%, from about 218,000 to 232,000.

The addition of just under 14,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bexley was home to, on average, 27 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bexley

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bexley increased by two years, from 37 to 39 years.

This suburban area had the third-highest average age in London and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 5,800 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 6,000.

About 15% of people in Bexley are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bexley by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disablity in Bexley

This area saw London's largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

Across the region, Harrow saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 2.9% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011).

During this period, Bexley overtook six local authority areas, including Redbridge and Newham, to become the London local authority area with the third-highest percentage of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 1 in 25 (3.8%) in Bexley reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.9% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 6.9% to 6.4%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents that that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Bexley that rented privately increased from 6.4% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of Bexley households that owner their home decreased from 78% to 73%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of London (from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Bexley increased by 5 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bexley, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

This area saw London's largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

Across the region, Bromley saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care (from 1.7% in 2001 to 2.0% in 2011).

During this period, Bexley overtook six local authority areas, including Redbridge and Newham, to become the London local authority area with the second-highest percentage of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

In 2011, just under 1 in 40 (2.5%) in Bexley reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.9% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.0% to 1.3%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Bexley remained close to 2.5%

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bexley by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of residents that perceived their health as good or very good increased in Bexley, but at a slower rate than in nearby Greenwich.

In Bexley, the proportion of people describing their health as good or very good increased from 70% in 2001 to 83% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Greenwich increased from 68% to 83%.

Across London, the share of residents that perceived their health as good or very good increased from 71% to 84%.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Bexley fell from 7.5% to 4.8%, while the percentage of people in ’fair’ health decreased from 22% to 13%.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’good’ or ’very good’ health was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents that that said their health was good or very good across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links